Curriculum Overview
A structured, internationally benchmarked Doctor of Medicine curriculum designed to take you from foundational science to confident clinical practice, step by step.
Your Journey From Student to Physician
MUCM’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum follows the American medical education model, the same framework used by leading medical schools worldwide. It is structured in three progressive phases, each building on the last, to ensure every graduate is academically prepared, clinically skilled, and globally competitive.
Visual Pathway
| Phase | Program | Duration | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | PreMedical Program (5-Year only) | 3 Semesters · 45 Weeks | Antigua Campus |
| Phase 2 | Basic Science Program | 5 Semesters · 60 + 15 Weeks | Antigua Campus |
| Phase 3 | Clinical Science Program | 6 Semesters · 72 Weeks | USA / Caribbean (Antigua) |
Phase 1 - PreMedical Program
Duration: 3 Semesters · 45 Weeks
Credits: 90 College-Level Credits
Location: Antigua & Barbuda Campus
MUCM’s PreMedical Program not only fulfills all the minimum prerequisites for entering the MD program including Physics, Mathematics, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, English, and General Biology but also provides students with the sound foundational knowledge needed to excel in the MD courses. Successful completion of this program allows seamless entry into the Basic Science component of the MD program. Advanced placement is available for students who have already completed a portion of the prerequisites.
PreMedical Curriculum
| Course | Course Credits |
|---|---|
| Medical Terminology | 2 |
| General Biology 1 & 2 | 6 |
| General Chemistry 1 & 2 | 6 |
| Physics 1 & 2 | 8 |
| Mathematics 1 — College Algebra | 4 |
| English 1 | 4 |
| English 2 | 4 |
| Mathematics 2 — Statistics | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| PM Anatomy | 6 |
| PM Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics | 6 |
| PM Physiology | 6 |
| Organic Chemistry 2 / PM Biochemistry | 6 |
| PM Sociology | 6 |
| PM Microbiology & Immunology | 6 |
| Research Writing | 2 |
| PM Neuroscience | 4 |
| PM Psychology | 6 |
| Total Credits | 90 |
Phase 2 — Basic Science Program
Duration: 5 Semesters · 60-Week Preclinical Program (MD1–MD4) + 15-Week Bridge Semester (MD5)
Contact Hours: 30–34 per week
Location: Antigua & Barbuda Campus
The Basic Science Program provides a strong foundational knowledge in the field of medicine built for students to carry into their clinical science program. The learning experience is characterized by an integrative approach, clinical case study analysis, small-group discussions, research projects, individualized academic support with one-on-one tutoring, and exam performance analysis. Students must successfully pass all courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students who are unable to pass a course in any particular semester are offered remediation at the end of every semester.
Basic Science Curriculum
| Course | Course Credits |
|---|---|
| Gross Anatomy & Embryology I | 10 |
| Medical Physiology I | 6 |
| Histology | 4 |
| Cell Biology | 6 |
| Foundations of Clinical Medicine I | 2 |
| Epidemiology & Preventative Medicine | 4 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 8 |
| Gross Anatomy & Embryology II | 6 |
| Medical Physiology II | 6 |
| Medical Biochemistry with Molecular Genetics | 10 |
| Foundations of Clinical Medicine II | 2 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Science & Medical Ethics | 8 |
| Medical Microbiology | 10 |
| Immunology | 6 |
| Pathology I | 10 |
| Foundations of Clinical Medicine III | 2 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Medical Pharmacology I | 6 |
| Foundations of Clinical Medicine IV | 2 |
| Pathology II | 10 |
| Medical Pharmacology II | 10 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Review of Systems | 15 |
| Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine | 15 |
Phase 3 - Clinical Science Program
Duration: 6 Semesters · 72 Weeks
Location: USA (Chicago, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey) · Caribbean (Antigua)
The Clinical Science Program is where your medical training comes to life. Over 72 weeks, you rotate through core clinical specialties at our affiliated teaching hospitals gaining hands-on patient care experience under the supervision of experienced clinicians. The program is divided into 48 weeks of Core Clerkships and 24 weeks of Elective Clerkships giving students both essential clinical breadth and the flexibility to explore their specialty of interest.
Core Clerkships (48 Weeks - Mandatory)
| Core Clerkship | Duration |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | 12 weeks |
| Surgery | 12 weeks |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 6 weeks |
| Pediatrics | 6 weeks |
| Psychiatry | 6 weeks |
| Family Medicine | 6 weeks |
| Total Core | 48 weeks |
Elective Clerkships (24 Weeks — Student Selected)
Students complete 24 weeks of elective clerkships — each elective a minimum of 4 weeks in duration. Electives are used to strengthen core disciplines and explore specialty interests. Electives can be completed at university-affiliated or non-affiliated hospitals. The university’s academic and career counselling team guides each student in selecting electives aligned with their specialty interest and residency goals.
Available elective areas include:
Cardiology · Pulmonology · Neurology · Endocrinology · Gastroenterology · Nephrology · Urology · ENT · Ophthalmology · Dermatology · Infectious Diseases · Hematology/Oncology · Emergency Medicine · Critical Care · Radiology · Orthopedics · Anesthesiology · and more.
How We Teach
MUCM has adapted the learning objectives recommended by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges). Our educational approach is built around:
Integrative Learning
Clinical case studies and problem-based learning woven throughout the Basic Science curriculum
Small Group Discussions
Collaborative learning in small cohorts — ensuring every student participates and is heard
Research Projects
Developing critical thinking and scientific inquiry from the earliest semesters
Individualized Support
One-on-one tutoring and exam performance analysis for every student who needs it
Clinical Integration
Foundations of Clinical Medicine runs through all Basic Science semesters — connecting theory to practice from Day 1
Remediation Support
Students who need additional time receive structured remedial support — not dismissal
Prepared for Global Licensing Exams
MUCM’s curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for licensing examinations across multiple countries:
| Exam | Country | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| USMLE Step 1 & 2 | 🇺🇸 USA | US Residency → Medical License |
| MCCQE | 🇨🇦 Canada | Canadian Provincial License |
| PLAB 1 & 2 | 🇬🇧 UK | GMC Registration |
| FMGE | 🇮🇳 India | NMC Registration |
| South African Medical License | 🇿🇦 South Africa | HPCSA Pathway |
| Regional Medical Council | 🌴 Caribbean / CARICOM | Caribbean Medical Practice |